2015 was very busy with the development and planning for the launch of the global Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Programme (EADCMP) which sees the administration of the programme extended from Groups I and II (Europe) to the rest of the world. Up until now, the FEI had coordinated the programme in Groups I and II whilst national anti-doping programmes or National Federations (NFs) had coordinated in their respective countries.
In advance of the implementation of the worldwide EADCMP, the FEI increased its awareness and education campaign amongst NFs, athletes and their entourages in order to prevent inadvertent positives.
Experts from three continents gathered at the special two-day equine surfaces forum held at the FEI headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) in 2015, where a total of 36 equine, veterinary and footing specialists from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and United States came together to discuss standards for arena surfaces in Jumping.
The forum, which was opened by FEI President Ingmar De Vos, was held just over a year since the Equine Surfaces White Paper which is available to download here, the world's most extensive study into the effect of arena surfaces on the orthopaedic health of sport horses, was published by the FEI.
Collaboration, consensus... Six years of FEI-funded research was presented in order to form a basis for developing performance standards for Jumping surfaces. Delegates were presented research findings that found that the performance of arena surfaces is characterised by the five parameters of impact firmness, cushioning, responsiveness, grip and uniformity, and that three components are required to ensure the performance of surfaces, namely the correct material and design, proper installation and appropriate maintenance.
A consensus emerged at the forum that procedures around these three components will evolve into standards and education that can support manufacturers, organisers and protect horses and riders.
"Everyone attending the forum has practical experience of events from all over the world, and everyone voiced the need by equestrian sport to demonstrate commitment to consistent footings at major events. It is critical that we retain our momentum so that we can provide consistent surfaces for all of the major events in the next year."